Finger controlled computer mouse

ABSTRACT

An electronic mouse controlled substantially by finger movement. The translation of the mouse can be controlled by the index finger placed over a primary selection button. Means for facilitating translation of the mouse are provided for in the primary selection button. Means for facilitating translation include, but are not limited to, concave depressions, protrusions and surface texture with a high coefficient of friction.

REFERENCE TO EARLIER APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of prior pending U.S.Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/086,170, filed May 20, 1998by Kwan-Ho Chan for FINGER CONTROLLED COMPUTER MOUSE, which document ishereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to pointing devices for controllingcursors on displays for personal computers and workstations and laptopcomputers and the like, and more particularly to devices and methods fortranslating the position of a computer mouse by finger movements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The most common form of pointing devices for personal computersand workstations is the electronic mouse.

[0004] Touch pads and pointer sticks, because of their compact nature,are the most commonly integrated pointing devices for laptop computers.Most laptop computers also permit an external mouse to be used with thelaptop.

[0005] The most common form of electronic mouse uses a rubberized ballon the underside of the mouse. Translation of the mouse causes therubberized ball to roll. The rubberized ball is in contact with a pairof encoder shafts. Rolling motion of the rubberized ball in turn causesthe encoder shafts to rotate. The rotation of the encoder shafts, andwheels associated therewith, generates a quadrature signal by the use oftwo pairs of LED's and photodetectors. This electronic signal isrepresentative of the translation of the position of the mouse.

[0006] In operation, the mouse is grasped with the hand, and movement ofthe mouse is effected by wrist motion and/or arm motion. The index andmiddle fingers are poised over actuator buttons, which can vary from oneto three buttons and are generally located over the upper distal surfaceof the mouse.

[0007] Prolonged use of the typical electronic mouse necessarilyrequires prolonged activation of muscles controlling the wrist and arm.It is well known that such prolonged use of the arm and wrist can resultin a repetitive stress injury such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

[0008] The electronic mouse is preferably used on a mouse pad which isessentially an 8.5 inch by 8.5 inch rubberized mat. The texture on theupper surface of the mouse pad provides traction for the rubberizedball. The size of the mouse pad accommodates the travel of theelectronic mouse such that, in moving the cursor from one edge of thedisplay screen to the opposite edge, the rubberized ball of theelectronic mouse does not move beyond the edges of the mouse pad.

[0009] Many users, particularly users of laptops who choose to use anelectronic mouse instead of the integrated pointing device (e.g., touchpad and/or pointer stick) on the laptop, find the mouse pad to be toolarge.

[0010] Many laptop computers now have computing power and displayscreens comparable to desktop personal computers. More and more, laptopcomputers are being used as desktop computer replacements. The laptopcomputers generally have a smaller footprint than desktop personalcomputers. Many users who use laptop computers as desktop computerreplacements prefer to use an externally attached electronic mouse as apointing device.

[0011] Many users find the use of an electronic mouse to be moreintuitive, and to provide better control of the cursor on the displayscreen, than the laptop pointer stick. The pointer stick requires anexternal button to activate a selection after positioning the cursor ata desired location on the display screen. To click the selection button,the user either has to re-position their digit (usually the indexfinger) over the selection button or use another digit (such as thethumb) to click the selection button. Many users find this secondarymaneuver to be cumbersome.

[0012] The touch pad also suffers from similar disadvantages when makinga selection. More particularly, with the touch pad, movement of thecursor is controlled by movement of the tip of a finger over the surfaceof the touch pad. When a desired location of the cursor is reached, tomake a selection, the user has to make a distinct tap on the surface ofthe touch pad, i.e., by lifting the finger off the surface of the touchpad and then hitting the surface of the touch pad with the tip of thefinger. Because there is no distinct mechanical clicking associated withthe act of selection, the user is not provided with an immediate sensoryfeedback to signal a successful selection. Touch pads are also typicallyprovided with external selection buttons, but these are associated withthe same disadvantages previously described for the pointer stick.

[0013] Unfortunately, however, a typical electronic mouse, because ofits size and long cable, does not allow for easy storage, e.g., with amobile laptop computer.

[0014] To minimize the risk of repetitive stress injury and to improvethe ease of use of the electronic mouse, there is a need for a novelelectronic mouse that integrates the pointing and selection functions.There is also a need for a smaller electronic mouse that can operate ona mouse pad with a smaller footprint.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention substantially overcomes the foregoinglimitations of typical prior art electronic pointing devices byproviding an electronic mouse in which the pointing and selectionfunctions can be controlled by a single finger. Thus, the risk ofrepetitive stress injury is minimized by avoiding the constant wrist andarm movements used to control the movements of a conventional mouse. Thepresent invention can be implemented with a optomechanical mouse or withan optical mouse.

[0016] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide apointing device controlled substantially by finger movement.

[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide apointing device in which the movement of the pointing device and theselection button are operated by the same finger.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide anelectronic mouse that can operate over a mouse pad with a smallfootprint.

[0019] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anelectronic mouse that allows for easy storage and deployment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The present invention substantially overcomes the foregoinglimitations of typical prior art electronic pointing devices byproviding an electronic mouse controlled substantially by fingermovement. The translation of the mouse can be controlled by the indexfinger placed over the primary selection button. Means for facilitatingtranslation of the position of the mouse are provided for in the primaryselection button. Means for facilitating translation of the position ofthe mouse include, but are not limited to, concave depressions,protrusions, and surface texture having a high coefficient of friction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The invention is described in detail below with reference to thefollowing drawings, throughout which similar reference characters denotesimilar features, and further wherein:

[0022]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0023]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the mouse of FIG. 1 beingmanipulated by the hand of a user;

[0024]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the mouse shown in FIGS. 1 and 2being manipulated by the hand of a user;

[0025]FIG. 4 is another top plan view of the mouse shown in FIG. 1, butwith the mouse being controlled by a single finger of the user;

[0026]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the invention;

[0027]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a rear extension which may beattached to the mouse of FIG. 1;

[0028]FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the rear extension shown in FIG. 6;

[0029]FIG. 8 is a side elevational view showing the rear extension ofFIG. 6 attached to the mouse of FIG. 1;

[0030]FIG. 9 is a top plan view showing the rear extension of FIG. 6being attached to the mouse of FIG. 1; and

[0031]FIG. 10 is a top plan view of still another form of mouse formedin accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIG. 1. More particularly, there is shown an electronic mouse 100 whichcomprises a housing 105 for containing the mechanical and electroniccomponents (not shown) of the mouse, which mechanical and electroniccomponents are of the sort well known in the art. Housing 105 can becircular or oval in shape, or any other shape that is considered to beergonomically suitable. The side walls 110 of mouse 100 are inclinedinwards, from the bottom 115 to the top 120, so as to define acircumferential groove 122 which is adapted to accommodate the thumb andfingers of a user.

[0033] A primary button 125 is centrally located on the upper surface ofthe mouse. This primary button 125 is preferably substantiallyequivalent to the “left” button of a typical electronic mouse.

[0034] One construction of this embodiment of mouse may include arubberized ball (not shown) located on the bottom 115 of the mouse,directly below the primary button 125. An alternate embodiment mayemploy an electrical pickup (not shown), which detects movement of themouse relative to an accompanying pad. Another embodiment may employ anoptical motion detector component which detects movement of the mouserelative to any visually-discernible surface.

[0035] A second button 130 and a third button 135 are preferablydisposed in the periphery of housing 105, preferably at the distal end(i.e., the forward end) 140 of housing 105, to the right and left of theprimary button 125, respectively. The second and third buttons 130, 135,function similar to the “right” and “middle” buttons of a typicalthree-button electronic mouse. A scrolling wheel 145, for activatingscrolling, is preferably located between the second and third buttons,130, 135, distally (i.e., forwardly) of the primary button 125.

[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a small mouse pad 150, measuringabout 4 inches by 4 inches, may also be provided. Mouse pad 150 may bemade of materials well known in the art so as to provide traction for arubberized ball.

[0037] Still looking now at FIGS. 2 and 3, typical operation of thepresent mouse involves clasping the mouse 100 between the user's thumb Tand middle finger M of the user's right hand H. Although this embodimentis described in terms of right-handed operations, it is also possible toaccommodate left-handed operations as well. The thumb T and middlefinger M fit into the conforming groove 122 in the wall 110 of thehousing 105. The groove 122 also prevents the mouse 100 from slippingoff thumb T and middle finger M when the mouse is picked up. The tip Pof the index finger F is positioned in the depression 155 of primarybutton 125.

[0038] The invention provides two ways to control the movement of mouse100, and thus the movement of an associated cursor (not shown) on acomputer display screen (also not shown).

[0039] In one method, mouse movement is controlled with the user's thumbT and middle finger M, in the manner shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Movement ofmouse 100 in the y direction (i.e., distally and proximally) iscontrolled by flexing and extending thumb T and middle finger Msimultaneously while grasping mouse 100. Flexing thumb T and middlefinger M pulls mouse 100 toward the user, translating mouse 100 in thenegative y direction (i.e., proximally) and causing corresponding cursormovement. Extending thumb T and middle finger M pushes the mouse awayfrom the user, translating the position of mouse 100 in the positive ydirection (i.e., distally) and causing corresponding cursor movement.

[0040] To move mouse 100 in the positive x direction (i.e., laterally tothe right) so as to cause corresponding cursor movement, mouse 100 ispushed to the right with thumb T. To move mouse 100 in the negative xdirection (i.e., laterally to the left) so as to cause correspondingcursor movement, mouse 100 is pushed to the left with the middle fingerM.

[0041] Alternatively, to move mouse 100 in the x direction so as tocause corresponding cursor movement, the user may bend the user's wristW to the right and left while holding onto mouse 100 with thumb T andmiddle finger M.

[0042] Where large movement of the cursor is desired, such as moving thecursor from one edge of the display screen to the opposite edge, mouse100 is moved with a sweeping motion while holding the mouse with thumb Tand middle finger M. For example, to move the cursor from the bottom ofthe display screen to the top of the display screen, first, the userfully extends the user's thumb T and middle finger M, translating themouse 100 distally, which in turn causes the cursor to move part way upthe display screen. Next, the user lifts mouse 100 up off mouse pad 150and flexes their thumb T and middle finger M, while mouse 100 is off themouse pad 150, so as to bring mouse 100 back to its initial position onmouse pad 150. With the mouse 100 sitting on the mouse pad 150, the userthen extends their thumb T and middle finger M for additionaltranslation of mouse 100, and hence corresponding cursor movement Thissweeping motion is repeated until the cursor is close to the desiredposition.

[0043] The user may employ a similar sweeping maneuver to effect largecursor travel in the x direction.

[0044] By grasping mouse 100 with thumb T and middle finger M, the mousecan be moved about as needed, with index finger F being used to activatebuttons 125, 130 and 135 as appropriate. Alternatively, mouse 100 can begrasped with thumb T and ring finger R, leaving index finger F andmiddle finger M to activate buttons 125, 130 and 135 as appropriate.

[0045] Another method of controlling cursor movement with mouse 100 isby dragging mouse 100 with index finger F positioned on the primarybutton 125, in the manner shown in FIG. 4. Mouse 100 can be dragged viathe primary button 125, without actuating the primary button 125, byselecting a primary button microswitch (not shown) having a sufficientlystiff spring. Alternatively, the tip P of the index finger F may engagethe sides of the depression 155 in the primary button 125 such thatmouse 100 may be pushed frontwards and/or backwards and/or sidewayswithout generation of sufficient vertical force to activate primarybutton 125.

[0046] Depression 155 also may include a small protrusion 160, best seenin FIG. 1, in primary button 125 that engages the inserted finger tip P.Traction between finger tip P and primary button 125 may also beincreased with a material having a high coefficient of friction. Suchmaterials are well known in the art.

[0047] Small and fine cursor movements are best obtained by using indexfinger F to engage primary button 125 for mouse movement. Verticalcursor movement is preferably controlled by flexing and extending indexfinger F against the wall of depression 155, causing mouse 100 to movein the y direction. Horizontal cursor movement is preferably controlledby sideways movement of index finger F against the wall of depression155, causing the mouse 100 to move in the x direction.

[0048] Once the cursor has reached a desired location, the user may makea selection by “clicking”, or depressing, primary button 125 with thesame index finger F.

[0049] The foregoing operation of controlling cursor position, andmaking selections, is intuitive to the user and is carried out withouthesitation or requiring additional motions of the user's index finger F.

[0050] A common cursor function is to drag an object or selected textby: (1) positioning the cursor on the desired object or text; (2)imparting sustained force on an appropriate button, e.g., the leftbutton in a typical electronic mouse; (3) moving the mouse to a desiredposition; and (4) releasing the force on the button, thereby releasingthe dragged object where the cursor is repositioned.

[0051] The present invention simplifies this operation. The userpositions mouse 100 with index finger F such that the cursor is moved toa desired position on the screen. Once the cursor is proximate to adesired object on the display screen, the user selects the object byclicking primary button 125. This is done by imparting a sufficientforce on primary button 125 with the tip P of the user's index finger F.To drag the object, the user maintains force on primary button 125 withindex finger F while, at the same time, moving mouse 100 with the sameindex finger F.

[0052] In one preferred manner of use, the cursor may be roughlypositioned with sweeping motions using thumb T and middle finger M aspreviously described. When the cursor is close to the desired locationon the display screen, control of the cursor is effected by movement ofmouse 100 using index finger F to engage primary button 125.

[0053] Referring again to FIG. 1, a scrolling mechanism 145 is alsoprovided for. Scrolling mechanism 145 can be located in front of, orbehind, primary button 125. In general, primary button 125 is locatedalong a midline longitudinal axis.

[0054] When the mouse employs a roller ball for determining movement ofthe mouse, the ball is preferably located directly below primary button125 so as to avoid any swiveling effect when mouse 100 is moved. Primarybutton 125 is preferably located near the center of the mouse's body.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 5, a modification of the present embodimentprovides a primary button 125 located in the forward end 140 of mouse100. In this case, scrolling means 145 can be located behind primarybutton 125.

[0056] Looking next at FIGS. 6-9, there is shown a rear extension 200which may be attached to the rear of mouse 100. Rear extension 200 isprovided for those users who prefer a mouse with a larger bulk notunlike a conventional mouse. Rear extension 200 generally comprises abody 205 and a pair of forwardly-extending arms 210. Arms 210 arecomplementary to the mouse's circumferential groove 122, and extendbeyond the equator of the mouse's housing 105, such that arms 210 cansnap into groove 122 and thereby lock rear extension 200 to mouse 100.Rear extension 200 is preferably formed out of a tough, durable,light-weight plastic.

[0057] If desired, rear extension 200 could be formed with a relativelyflat upper rear surface 215, with or without additional input buttons(not shown) and/or an electronic input pad (also not shown) to permitpen entry of a signature or sketch. Of course, where rear extension 200includes such buttons or electronic input pad, rear extension 200 mustalso be electrically connected to mouse 100 so that the signals from thebuttons or electronic input pad can be transferred to the mouse andhence to the computer. Such an electrical connection can be achieved inways well known in the art, e.g., by using simple male-female plug-inelectrical connectors.

[0058] Looking next at FIG. 10, it is also possible to provide twoadditional buttons 300, 305 to mouse 100. Buttons 300, 305 may beconfigured to activate the “backward” and “forward” buttons of a Webbrowser, so as to facilitate Web browsing actions using mouse 100.

[0059] In another embodiment of the present invention, theelectromechanical activation switch of primary button 125 is replaced bya pressure sensor wherein pressure on the primary button 125 by thefinger F causes an electronic signal to be sent to the computer, andfurther wherein the amplitude of the electronic signal is a function ofthe magnitude of the pressure applied by the finger. This embodiment ofthe invention is particularly useful in graphic software, where thelevel of the digital pressure is translated as the thickness of a linedrawn on the computer screen. In other words, a thicker line may bedrawn by pressing harder on primary button 125, while moving mouse 100at the same time, and a thinner line may be drawn by reducing thepressure on primary button 125. In this embodiment, the left button 130and the right button 135 can be programmed to correspond to the left andright buttons of a conventional electronic mouse.

[0060] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the scrollingwheel 145, instead of scrolling a computer display to unobservedportions of the computer display, can be programmed to move the cursoron the computer display in the third axis as may be the case in threedimensional graphics representation. Yet another use of the scrollingwheel 145 is to program it to act a continuous zoom function either byitself or in combination with any one of the control keys on thekeyboard.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pointing device comprising a first buttonadapted to be engaged by a finger for positioning said pointing device.2. A pointing device according to claim 1, said pointing deviceincluding side walls having a concave surface.
 3. A pointing deviceaccording to claim 1, said pointing device having a generallyfrusto-conical shape.
 4. A pointing device according to claim 1, saidpointing device having a plan view defining a generally circular shape.5. A pointing device according to claim 1, said first button beingresponsive to an activation force for activating a first switch.
 6. Apointing device according to claim 5 wherein said first button isresponsive to the activation force exerted in an activation direction,said first button being unresponsive to forces exerted in a directionother than said activation direction.
 7. A pointing device according toclaim 5 wherein said first button is responsive to an activation forceexerted in a generally downward direction, said first button beingunresponsive to forces exerted in other than a downward direction.
 8. Apointing device according to claim 1, said first button being positionedcentrally on said pointing device.
 9. A pointing device according claim1, said first button including a protrusion extending therefrom.
 10. Apointing device according to claim 1, said first button having adepression therein.
 11. A pointing device according to claim 10, whereinsaid depression is complementary to the shape of the finger.
 12. Apointing device according to claim 10, including a protrusion extendingout of said depression.
 13. A pointing device according to claim 1,including a second button responsive to a second activation force foractivating a second switch.
 14. A pointing device according to claim 13,said second button being located in front of said first button.
 15. Apointing device according to claim 13, said second button beingpositioned on a forward portion of said pointing device.
 16. A pointingdevice according to claim 13, including a third button responsive to athird activation force for activating a third switch.
 17. A pointingdevice according to claim 16, said third button being located in frontof said first button.
 18. A pointing device according to claim 16, saidthird button being positioned on a forward portion of said pointingdevice.
 19. A pointing device according to claim 16, said first buttonbeing proximal to said second and third buttons.
 20. A pointing deviceaccording to claim 16, said first button being interposed between saidsecond button and said third button.
 21. A pointing device according toclaim 1, including scrolling means for scrolling a computer display tounobserved portions of the computer display.
 22. A pointing deviceaccording to claim 21, said scrolling means being positioned on aforward portion of said pointing device.
 23. A pointing device accordingto claim 21, said scrolling means being positioned forward of said firstbutton.
 24. A method for manipulating a cursor in a computer displaycomprising: engaging a button of a pointing device with a finger,wherein said button is adapted to be responsive to an activation forcefor activating a switch; and exerting a force against the button in adirection that does not activate the switch in an amount sufficient totranslate the position of the pointing device.
 25. A method according toclaim 24 wherein the button is responsive to the activation forceexerted in an activation direction, with the button being unresponsiveto forces exerted in directions other than an activation direction. 26.A method according to claim 24 wherein the button is responsive to theactivation force exerted in a generally downward direction, the buttonbeing unresponsive to forces exerted in other than a downward direction.27. A method according to claim 24 wherein: said manipulating includespositioning an object in the computer display; and further wherein saidmethod includes: translating the pointing device so that the cursor isassociated with a desired target; and exerting force on the button in anactivation direction, thereby activating the switch.
 28. A methodaccording to claim 27, including exerting a force against the button inother than the activation direction in an amount sufficient to translatethe position of the pointing device.
 29. A method according to claim 27,including scrolling a computer display to unobserved portions of thecomputer display.
 30. A method according to claim 27, including rotatingscrolling means with a thumb or finger to display unobserved portions ofthe computer display.
 31. A pointing device according to claim 1,further including a rear extension adapted to be attached to said mouse.32. A pointing device according to claim 31, wherein said pointingdevice comprises a peripheral groove, and further wherein said rearextension comprises a pair of arms adapted to be snapped into saidgroove so as to attach said rear extension to said pointing device. 33.A pointing device comprising at least one button, wherein said button isadapted to sense the magnitude of a force applied to said button.